buehl



March 10, 1964 A. L. BUEHL 3,124,110

WATER HEATERS Filed March '7, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l 2/ JZ INVENTOR.

A. L. BUEHL WATER HEATERS March 10, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March '7, 1961 I i.. .vanas l E .qll IL INVENTOR /7/w0LD A. 50E/JL BY @Mlm 5% United States Patent 3,124,110 WATER HEATERS Arnoiel L. Euehl, Cieveland, Ohio, assigner to Mor-Flo Industries, Inc., a corporation of Ghini Filed Mar. 7, 1961, Ser. No. 94,061 2 Claims. (Cl. 122-494) This invention relates to water heaters and particularly to an improved support means therefor. The support means comprises a leg structure which is especially adapted for use in a water heater having flue means for passing combustion products from a burner beneath the tank upwardly around the outer peripheral surface of the tank.

An important object of the invention is to provide such a leg structure which is adapted to directly support all of the major components of a water heater.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a leg structure which also affords means for spacing a water heater tank from a surrounding flue liner.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a leg structure of the type referred to which also maintains the water heating tank concentrically located within the flue liner.

A further object of this invention is to provide a leg structure of the above type which supports the water heater tank above the burner independently of the base of the heater.

A similar object of the invention is to provide a leg structure of the type referred to which supports the water heater tank independently of the water heater Wall.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a leg structure having the above characteristics which is simple and economic to manufacture, composed of but few parts, and is highly efficient and durable in use.

Other objects of this invention and the invention itself will be readily understood from the following specification and the accompanying drawings, in which said drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of a water heater embodying the improved leg structure of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section taken along the line 2 2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section taken along the line 3 3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken along the line 4 4 of FIG. l;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the leg structure;

FIG. 6 is a section taken along the line 6 6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a detail section taken along the line 7 7 of FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawings in all of which like parts are designated by like reference characters, in FIG. 1 there is shown a water heater generally indicated at 1, said water heater comprising a casing 2 having an enclosing top 3 and a base 4. The top 3 is provided with a circumferentially continuous, downwardly directed flange 3a telescopically tted over the upper end of the casing 2. The base 4 is similarly provided with a circumferential flange 4a which iits upwardly over the lowermost end of said casing. The water heater 1 is supported by a plurality of leg structures 5 which project upwardly within the casing 2 and are positioned at circumferentially evenly spaced intervals around a centrally located water storage tank 6. The base 4 provides mounting means for a combustion type burner 7 which is positioned beneath the tank 6, and a door 8 is provided adjacent the lower end of the casing 2 to afford access to said burner 7 and its associated parts. A draft hood 9 is mounted upon the upper surface of the top 3, and legs 10, which form part of the leg structures 5, extend downwardly beneath the base 4 in contact with a floor or supporting surface.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the casing 2 comprises a pair of relatively outer and inner, radially spaced, preferably cylindrical drumlike members 11 and 12 respectively. Suitable heat insulating material 13 is disposed between the drumlike members 11 and 12 to reduce heat loss from the tank 6 and to increase the heating eiiciency of the water heater 1 according to well known principles. Said members 11 and 12 are provided with aligned openings and 12a respectively adjacent their lowermost ends to provide access to the burner 7, said aperture 11a being covered by the door 8.

The base 4 is provided with a plurality of preferably circumferentially evenly spaced, U-shape apertures 14 which are disposed radially just inside the inner drumlike member 12 and through which the leg structures 5 project. As best shown in FIG. 2, the burner 7 is centrally disposed within the base 4 and projects upwardly through a centrally apertured, circular baffle plate 15 which is supported in upwardly spaced relation to the base by means of a plurality of angled brackets 16.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the tank 6 is preferably cylindrical and is concentrically disposed within the drumlike member 12 and is positioned radially inwardly from said drumlike member. The leg structures 5 abut the outer peripheral surface of the tank 6 and serve to maintain it in a concentric position. Said tank 6, as herein illustrated, is provided with a central tiue 17 which extends centrally through the length thereof.

From the foregoing description it will be clearly understood that the water heater 1 as herein illustrated has a tank 6 positioned within a casing 2 and uniformly spaced radially inwardly therefrom throughout its circumference to provide an outer iiue means around said tank for the escape of combustion gases. The tank 6 is mounted Well above the base 4 to form a combustion chamber in which is positioned the burner 7. The burner 7 as herein illustrated is a gas burner, and the combustion products therefrom pass upwardly through the central flue 17 and the outer flue designated at 18 (FIG. 3), said outer flue comprising the space between the tank 6 and the inner drumlike member 12. It will be seen that the inner member 12 is, in effect, a flue liner for the outer flue 18.

To provide escape means for exhausting the flue gases there is provided a centrally disposed exhaust opening 19 in the top 3, said exhaust opening being positioned beneath the hood 9. Flue gases from both the outer and inner ilues are exhausted through the opening 19 and bore 9a of hood 9 to the chimney. Draft hood 9 is provided so that down drafts or similar erratic air currents will be outwardly diverted and will not cause recirculation of said iiue products back to the combustion chamber and the area of the burner 7.

Referred now particularly to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, each leg structure 5 comprises the above mentioned leg 10, an upwardly projecting leg extension member 2t), and a leg spacer 21. The leg 10, the extension member 20, and the leg spacer 21 are all formed from sheet metal.

As best seen in FIG. 5, each leg 1t) is generally U-shape in section thereby providing parallel side flanges 30. Each leg 10 is also provided with an elongated, channel-shape recess 31 having a flat bottom Wall 32. At least one flange 30 on each leg is provided with an inwardly projecting, horizontally disposed arm 33 having a vertically upwardly directed lug 34.

Each leg 10 projects upwardly through one of the U-shape apertures 14 in the base 4 with the arm 33 extending beneath said base to provide it with adequate support. The lug 34 is so positioned that it abuts an inner edge 14a of the aperture 14 whereby the legs are concentrically positioned relative to the base. There are preferably four leg structures 5 and corresponding U-shape apertures 14 thereby assuring adequate support for and alignment of the base 4.

It will be noted that the arm 33 of each leg 10 is disposed about half way between the upper and lower ends of said leg and that the upper portion of said leg above said arm projects upwardly above the base 4 with the outwardly directed surface thereof abutting the inner peripheral surface of the inner drumlike member or flue liner 12.

Each leg extension member 26 is generally channel shape in form having parallel side flanges 4G adapted to snugly t in between the side anges 3) of the leg lil. The associated leg extension member is positioned oppositely from the leg 1t), that is, the side flanges 4t) of said extension member are directed outwardly relative to the heater axis whereas the overlapping side ilanges 30 project relatively inwardly. As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the leg extension member 2@ is slightly recessed throughout its length, said recess having a hat bottom wall 41 with the sides 41a of the recess tapering outwardly toward the side anges 469. The flat bottom wall 32 of the leg recess 31 and the flat bottom wall 41 of the leg extension member 20 abut in ilatwise engagement and are coaxially apertured at 35 and 45 respectively whereby they are adapted to receive a sheet metal screw 22 which projects inwardly through the drumlike member 12. It will be understood, therefore, that the drumlike member or ue liner 12 is rigidly secured to the leg 10 and the leg extension member 2t) whereby the weight of the casing 2 is taken directly by the leg structure 5. It will also be noted (FIG. 7) that the bottom wall 41 of the leg extension member 2@ is provided with an outwardly struck lip 42 which extends outwardly over the upper edge of the bottom wall 32 of the leg recess 31 thereby positioning said leg extension member in an optimum relation to the leg 10.

As best shown in FIG. l, the leg extension member 20 extends upwardly in abutting relation with the outer peripheral surface of the tank 6 a substantial distance to insure alignment of said tank throughout the entire length of the casing 2. The cross sectional form of said leg extension member is uniform throughout its lenvth with the uppermost end thereof having an outwardly, obliquely directed lip 43. The combined effect of the outwardly slanting, downwardly converging lips 43 of all of the leg structure 5 is to provide guide means for sliding a tank 6 into position within the area dened by all of said leg structures.

'To maintain the leg extension member 29 in parallel alignment with the wall of the inner drumlike member 12, each leg extension member is provided with a leg spacer 21 which is best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Said leg spacer is substantially hat shape in cross section havlng a generally channel Shape central portion 5t) and laterally and obliquely directed edge anges 51. The flanges 51 are so angled as to make flatwise engagement with the slanting walls 41a of the leg extension member 20 whereby the channel portion 50 extends outwardly into substantial vertical alignment with the outwardly directed surface of the leg 10 (FIG. 4). The leg spacer 21, as best shown in FIG. 5, extends from the upper edge of the leg 10 upwardly a distance substantially equal to the height of the combustion chamber beneath the tank 6.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the leg spacer 21 is apertured at 52 adjacent the upper end thereof in alignment with an aperture 44 in the bottom wall 41 of the leg extension member 20. A stepped nut 46 is seated within the aperture 44 and is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the bottom wall 41. A relatively large screw or bolt 53 projects through a suitable aperture in the inner drumlike member 12, through the aperture 52 of the leg spacer 21, and is thread fitted into the nut 46 of the leg extension member Ztl. A portion 53a of the bolt 53 projects radially inwardly from the leg extension member 2t) as best shown in FIG. 4. Thus it will be seen that the member 12, the leg spacer 21, and the leg extension member 20 are securely bolted together with said extension member extending upwardly a substantial distance therefrom to provide aligning means for the tank 6. The leg spacer 21 is preferably tack welded or otherwise suitably secured to the leg extension member 20 whereby said leg spacer and said leg extension member are an integral unit.

The inwardly extending portions 53a or the bolts 53 together provide supporting means for the tank 6. The lowermost edge of said tank rests upon said plurality of inwardly extending bolt portions with the peripheral surface of said tank abutting the leg extension member 26. By means of the bolt portions 53a, the weight of the tank 6 is directly upon the leg structures 5 thereby supporting said tank independently of either the walls of the casing 2 or the base 4. The leg spacer 21 provides additional strength in the area where the tank is supported and in the area where the leg structures 5 are exposed to flames from the burner 7. This insures a rigid and durable support in the area where such rigidity and durability is most necessary.

As a result of the above construction, each of the major elements of the water heater 1 is independently supported directly by the leg structures 5: the casing is secured to the leg structures by the sheet metal screws 22 and the bolts 53, the tank rests upon the inwardly projecting bolt portions 53a, and the base 4 and its associated burner 7 are supported by the arms 33 of the legs 10.

The leg extension members 20 of the leg structures 5 coaxially aligns the flue liner or inner drumlike member 12 with respect to the exterior diameter of the tank 6 thereby assuring an optimum, uniform spacing around the tank. In this manner, tine gas recirculation within the outer flue 18 is eliminated.

From the foregoing it will be clearly seen that the support means of this invention have a threefold purpose: supporting the heater proper, maintaining the uniformity of outer iiue 18, and suspending tank 6 above the burner 7 and the baflle plate 15 to form the heater combustion chamber.

A Water heater of the type herein illustrated utilizing the leg structure of this invention is also characterized by the ease with which it can be assembled. The inner ue liner or drumlike member 12 is rst inverted, and the base 4 is placed over the upturned end, also in inverted position. A leg structure 5 is then inserted through each aperture 14 with the extension members entering first, and said leg structures are then secured to the liner by means of bolts 53 and sheet metal screws 22 in the manner shown in FIG. 4. The resulting assembly is then placed in an upright position and the remaining parts mounted thereto.

It will be understood that many departures from the details of this invention may be made without, however, departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An underred water heater of the type dCSf-ribed comprising a storage tank; a casing surrounding said storage tank and spaced radially outwardly therefrom to form an outer ilue around said tank; said casing seated upon a base; a plurality of legs supporting said base; leg extension means extending upwardly from said legs and interposed between said tank and said casing; spacer means mounted to said leg extension means spacing all of said leg extension means uniformly inwardly from said casing; attachment means securing said casing to said leg extension means; and said tank resting upon supp@rt @Gans projecting inwardly from said leg extension means wnereby the combined weights of said tank, casing, and base are directly supported by said legs.

2. An underred water heater of the type described comprising a storage tank; a casing surrounding said storage tank and spaced radially outwardly therefrom to form an outer flue around said tank; said casing seated upon a base; said base having a combustion type burner mounted thereon; a plurality of legs supporting said base; leg extension means extending upwardly from said legs and interposed between said tank and said casing and uni-I formly spacing said tank from said casing and deining an annular Ilueway around said tank; spacer means mounted to said leg extension means spacing all of said leg eXtension means uniformly inwardly from said casing; attach- References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,862,630 Morrow June 14, 1932 2,059,274 Piser Nov. 3, 1936 2,504,092 Thomas Apr. 11, 1950 

1. AN UNDERFIRED WATER HEATER OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED COMPRISING A STORAGE TANK; A CASING SURROUNDING SAID STORAGE TANK AND SPACED RADIALLY OUTWARDLY THEREFROM TO FORM AN OUTER FLUE AROUND SAID TANK; SAID CASING SEATED UPON A BASE; A PLURALITY OF LEGS SUPPORTING SAID BASE; LEG EXTENSION MEANS EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID LEGS AND INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID TANK AND SAID CASING; SPACER MEANS MOUNTED TO SAID LEG EXTENSION MEANS SPACING ALL OF SAID LEG EXTENSION MEANS UNIFORMLY INWARDLY FROM SAID CASING; ATTACHMENT MEANS SECURING SAID CASING TO SAID LEG EXTENSION MEANS; AND SAID TANK RESTING UPON SUPPORT MEANS PROJECTING INWARDLY FROM SAID LEG EXTENSION MEANS WHEREBY THE COMBINED WEIGHTS OF SAID TANK, CASING, AND BASE ARE DIRECTLY SUPPORTED BY SAID LEGS. 